Hi there

My 17wk old GSd puppy is absolutely adorable, very very good, so quick to learn....BUT..he has this awful habit of trying to chase cars.  I have had him now for 8 weeks.I have taken him for a short walk every day just up the road but he is a nightmare, what should take about 5 min ends up taking 1/2 hr. He tries to chase every car that goes by, I have tried everything to distract him, he will normally eat for England! but even his fav treats dont work. At the moment I can control him..just but he is growing fast and I can imagine what nightmare I will have trying to hold him in a few weeks as he lunges forward after the cars, it is quite a narrow pavement here so quite dangerous.  This morning I took him to our local field, he met a few dogs which is excellent, he is very friendly to them. I then took him off the lead, he doesnt leave my side, I hid behind a tree when I got the chance and called him and he came instantly and sat.  THEN......He noticed all the swallows (I think that what they were) swooping all over the field he gave chase, I couldnt believe he could move so fast, I was so worried because of his age that he should not run like that, He totally ignored my calls and was just focussed on chasing barking at the same time.  I only managed to get him when he almost dropped of exhaustion.  He comes from a working pedigree and I think that somewhere back looking at his pedigree that some have done herding, I was wondering if this was the reason, I am at my wits end to try to think of something else that will distract him, especially regarding the cars. Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks

I'm a bit rushed this morning but basically, don't let him practise this behaviour - so keep him at a distance from cars where he can't start to react.
Plenty of reward (ie top value food rewards) for good behaviour - try clicker training which is what i used, or a "watch me" command.

Go to a good training class where they use rewards based training and learn how to train good obedience with him; if you have excellent obedience you have far better control. If he has working lines, consider doing something with him, even little games such as hide the toy, and maybe agility or trials later :)

Lindsay
x

Thanks for your reply.  I have been going training with him since he was 11 wks of age and he is absolutely brilliant, a real star if I may say so myself.  he picks up things so quickly...except this.  Unfortunately his trainer is away this week so not able to ask him, I thought maybe I could take him to our local High street (Only a village - so quite small) they have a seat there, I thought perhaps I could sit there with him for a bit while the traffic goes by  in the hope that he will eventually get bored and realise he cant get to it whatever he does.  I will let you know how it goes....(Forgot to mention he is in a mini obedience display at a nearby village fete on Oct 1st - so he is really doing well)